ST. MICHAELS THE CHAMPIONS
COUREAGEOUS BATTLE BY GALLANT FURZE SIDE
St. Michael’s 2-6 Seneschalstown 1-7
St. Michael’s, last year’s beaten finalists, justified their ante-post favouritism by defeating Seneschalstown in the J.F.C. decider at Navan’s Pairc Tailteann last Sunday, Writes TOM MOONEY.
They were odds-on going into Sunday’s game against a Seneschalstown side which had astonished many be reaching the final and were unlucky not to astonish even more.
The Yellow Furze side did not deserve to lose. They looked fitter, sharper and more determined for most of the game and the craftiness of their veterans frequently enabled them to outwith their opponents who seemed overconfident in some ways, extremely nervous in others and generally lacked the dash which has become their trademark.
St. Michael’s seemed like a very ordinary side for 55 of the 60 minutes and it was only in the closing stages when threatened by the jaws of defeat that they managed to raise their game sufficiently to stamp their authority on the march.
DOOMED
Five minutes from time they were trailing by 1-4 to 1-7 and looked doomed for defeat but then Robbie O’Connell clicked into top gear, inspired his colleagues to move into overdrive and they added 1-2 without reply to scuttle a rapidly tiring Seneschalstown outfit.
While St. Michael’s must be congratulated on winning the first championship in the club’s short history and atoning for last year’s bitter disappointment, one must sympathise with Seneschalstown. Unfancied almost throughout the campaign they proved the punters wrong and with a little bit of luck would have shocked the Carlanstown-Kilbeg combination.
Foremost in the sympathy stakes must be the oldest member of the team, Ollie Geraghty, and one of the youngest, Michael Monaghan who contributed enormously to Seneschalstown’s performance.
LIFE BEGINS
Geraghty seemed to prove Mae West’s adictum, “life begins at forty,” as the 40 years plus veteran did untold damage in the Mikes defence and scored a glorious goal.
The first half was scrappy but the second was thrilling and exploded in a climax of excitement as St. Michael’s fought back from the “dead” to gain victory.
Seneschalstown dominated the first half, but though they had the backing of a stiff breeze and the elements could not be blamed for St. Michael’s having to play second fiddle.
PATHETIC
Most of their members ranged from poor to pathetic and only for the efforts of their outstanding right corner back, Gerry McCormack and to a lesser extent, James Murphy on the same flank, St. Michael’s could have been overrun.
Ably supported by Terry McDonagh, Billy Collins dominated at midfield and Phonsie Gilsenan, Mickey Collins and Jim Farrell dealt capably with whatever passed these two.
Having so much possession most of the Seneschalstown forwards had plenty of opportunities to look good and this they did – at least in their approach work. Gerry Clarke, Frank Sheridan, Monaghan, Patrick Darby and of course, Geraghty, frequently had the St. Michael’s defence under pressure, but for all that, managed to lead by 0-4 to 0-2 at the interval.
Joe O’Brien, Sheridan, Collins with a lovely effort from 45 metres and Darby accounted for their first half points, but they should have added a goal.
A Darby shot beat Sean Briody in the winners’ goals but Murphy cleared off the line.
Both of St. Michael’s first half scores came from pointed frees by Robbie O’Connell following fouls on his brother Michael.
Someone obviously told their players a few “home truths” at the interval as within 12 seconds of the resumption they snatched the lead. Jimmy Farrelly who had been switched from midfield during the first half was restored to that position at the start of the second half. He caught the throw-in and his delivery came to Paddy Rogers who lashed a great effort under the diving body of Raymie McGovern. But Monaghan equalised after Geraghty had been fouled and then countered a Christopher Regan point to leave the sides level again (0-6 for Seneschalstown to 1-3) after 39 minutes.
Monaghan obliged again after another foul on Geraghty and though the O’Connell brothers combined again to draw the sides level once more in the 50th minute – Michael was fouled and Robbie slotted over – there were huge danger signs warning St. Michael’s.
A lovely flick from Sheridan put Geraghty behind the defence. He first-timed past the advancing Briody and, as the ball was rolling wide of the empty net the in-rushing Darby just failed to tap in inside the post.
DANGEROUS
Later Murphy did very well to cut out an extremely dangerous centre when a goal looked “on” and so well were Seneschalstown playing that another shock looked on the cards when Geraghty netted.
He fielded a Darby centre beautifully, turned and lashed to the net to put Seneschalstown 1-7 to 1-4 ahead in the 51st minute, a lead they held until the 55th.
But then Robbie O’Connell earned his pay as captain. Although he started in the surprise position of right half forward, he was switched to midfield in the second half. He commanded his sector in the last stages and was ably assisted by Farrelly who found a new lease of life.
GREAT GOAL
A great goal by Joe Walsh, who had been moved forward from midfield, sparked off that dramatic and exciting finish. He latched onto a loose ball and from 25 metres crashed a rasping shot off the underside of the bar into the net.
Robbie O’Connell wasted two good chances of points by trying to lob the ball into the square before eventually slotted over and then started a move, carried on by Walsh, which ended with Michael O’Connell notching an insurance point much to the rapture of the St. Michael’s fans.
Scorers:
St. Michael’s – R. O’Connell (0-4), J. Walsh, P. Rogers (1-0 each), C. Regan, Michael O’Connell (0-1 each).
Seneschalstown – O. Geraghty (1-0), M. Monaghan (0-3), B. Collins, F. Sheridan, P. Darby, J. O’Brien (0-1 each).
St. Michael’s – S. Briody, G. McCormack, P. O’Connell, P. Cassidy, J. Murphy, J. Lynch, J. McCormack, J. Walsh, J. Farrelly, R. O’Connell, Martin O’Connell. P. Rogers, J. Rafferty, Michael O’Connell, C. Regan. Subs: J. Stafford for Lynch, B. Gaffney for Rafferty.
Seneschalstown – R. McGovern, P. Gilsenan, M. Collins, S. Commons, D. Sheehy, M. Dillon, J. Farrell, T. McDonagh, B. Collins, G. Clarke, F. Sheridan, M. Monaghan, P. Darby, O. Geraghty, J. O’Brien. Sub: M. Connell for O’Brien
Referee: Bernard McCluskey (Simonstown Gaels).
